The holiday season is supposed to be a time for relaxing and celebrating with friends and family. But, the most wonderful time of the year can also prove hazardous to your health and safety. The seemingly endless string of parties, weather, decorating your home, and even shopping for gifts can all put your wellbeing at risk. To ensure you and your family have a happy and healthy holiday season, Families Firstcreated a list of 12 Holiday Hazards and videos to show how to avoid them!

1. Decorating Mishaps – With all the gifting, baking, and partying quickly approaching, nobody has time for a trip to the hospital! Yet, decorating requires ladders for hanging outdoor lights, garland across doorways, ornaments on trees, and even hiding gifts in the tops of closets and cabinets.Here’s some tips to keep you and your family safe this season.

2. Fires – There is something magical about the ambiance of the holidays….the warm glow from candles, decorated trees, and holiday light displays. But if you’re not careful, everything can go up in smoke! Keep thesefire safety tricks in mind over the holidays.

3. Pet Poisons– While the holidays can be an exciting time for family and friends, we can’t forget about our furry friends during this festive season. Keep your pets healthy and safe during the winter months while remembering this list of harmful items.

4. Over Spending on Gifts – Gifting is good for us! Research has shown that giving to others can increase health benefits, and, it activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust. “But that feel good high” can certainly be a buzz kill when you overspend… which may lead to wrap rage! Use these tips as a guide to stay within your budget this year!

6. Stressful Travels With Young Children - Millions of Americans are expected to hit the road this holiday season. Review these few tricks to smooth holiday travelif you are flying, driving, pushing or carrying your children somewhere for the holiday.

7.Arguments- With all the traveling, visiting relatives, gift-buying and cooking, the holidays can be a tense time for many families and individuals. Holiday gatherings can quickly turn into heated exchanges between spouses, in-laws, children and other family members. Here are 3 strategies to get you through this holiday season.

8.Choking Hazards- With so many celebrations during this time of year, it is easy for children to run off together for some fun playtime. However, the holidays also present additional choking hazards, so caregivers should be extra cautious.Here’s four things to be mindful of to prevent choking.

9. Drinking and Driving - The holidays are challenging because it is a time you want to treat yourself and have fun, but it’s also a time where you might forget the healthy boundaries you’ve set when it comes to alcohol consumption.Here are some ways to keep you on track.

10.Over-indulging – Holidays are fun for getting together and to eat, drink, and be merry! But with all those yummy treats and cocktail parties, it’s easy to forget our healthy-living plans and over-indulge! Avoid remorse with these 7 tips.

12.Shooting Guns in Celebration - When the ball drops at midnight on New Year’s Eve to ring in 2019, cheering, drinking champagne, and kissing someone is ok. Celebratory gunfire is not ok… Try this idea instead!

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